White pleads guilty to 2021 Big Stone Gap murder (2024)

BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

WISE, Va. — Michael Donivan White, age 36, originally of Cross, South Carolina, pleaded guilty Thursday to first-degree murder of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler in 2021.

White appeared in the Wise County Circuit Court before Judge Ronald Elkins, according to a written statement. White faces a sentence of 40 to 100 years of active imprisonment.

A sentencing hearing has been set for Aug. 21.

The plea stems from the crimes White committed in the late fall of 2021 in the town of Big Stone Gap. Around 4 a.m. on November 13, Officer Chandler responded to a welfare check at 2505 Orr St. This house was known locally as “the red house,” and was often the subject of law enforcement calls for civil disturbances, warrant service, welfare checks, overdoses, complaints of assaults and drug-related activities, according to the statement.

Upon arrival Chandler encountered a vehicle outside the residence, from which White fired eight rounds from a Taurus 9mm pistol, striking Chandler twice. He was able to return fire but died later that evening.

White was identified as a suspect and was apprehended at a motel in Kingsport, Tennessee. Police found the pistol which testing proved was the one used to kill Chandler.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Brett Hall and Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Steven Davis collaboratively prosecuted this case along with Special Counsel M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Senior Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section.

“I’m incredibly thankful for the hard work, dedication and sacrifice of all those involved in this case over the past few years,” Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Steven Davis said in the statement.

“The death of Officer Michael Chandler greatly impacted our law enforcement community and we will all honor his life by continuing to prosecute crimes like this to the fullest extent of the law,” Davis said.

Wise County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Natasha Chandler, widow of the slain Big Stone Gap police officer, expressed her appreciation.

“Michael’s death has left an irreplaceable void in our lives, a void that words cannot adequately describe. The pain of his absence is immeasurable and every day without him continues to present challenges for myself, our families, and our loved ones. No process can bring Michael back to me, but today’s plea helps bring a sense of closure,” Chandler said. “I will continue to fight to ensure this murderer spends the rest of his life behind bars where he can never hurt nor devastate any other family the way he did mine.”

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares voiced admiration for our local law enforcement.

“I am proud of my office’s role in helping to secure this conviction and ensure that justice was served. This outcome is a testament to the dedication and hard work of those who investigated and prosecuted this case. I want to extend my gratitude to the local prosecutors at the United States Attorney’s Office and the Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for their unwavering commitment to justice. Their efforts, alongside state, federal, and local law enforcement, have been crucial in bringing closure to this tragic case and honoring Officer Chandler’s memory,” Miyares said

Chief Deputy Attorney General Chuck Slemp said, “Officer Chandler gave his life to ensure the safety of others on a dark street in the middle of the night. He is a hero for our entire Commonwealth, and the wounds from this senseless tragedy will never fully heal. We honor his memory and continue his legacy of selfless service. I am grateful that the person responsible for this tragedy has been brought to justice and will face the consequences for the harm he caused.”

White is being held at Western Regional Jail in Salem, Virginia, as he awaits sentencing on these charges.